We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Buckenberger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Well, two things really.

First, I grew up in a family and a household of entrepreneurs. Shortly after my mom and dad emigrated to the U.S. (New York to be precise!), my dad started his own company with his brother doing landscaping and running a nursery. I got to see him work really hard and build a solid, well-respected business. Then my brother moved into the business and I got to see the beauty of building something for yourself, but also including family in it. I really respected and appreciated that.

Second, I have always been really into cooking and baking from scratch. I certainly learned this from my mom, and I also like to think I’ve taught myself a few things along the way. I started really expanding around the holidays and making MANY different kinds of holiday cookies. My husband and I used to host a pretty big holiday party. He would do most of the food cooking, and I would do all of the baking. Not only did we have big platters of different cookies for dessert, but everybody went home with their own special box of holiday cookies. My friends kept telling me every year that the cookies were so good, I should definitely start a business because people would definitely buy these cookies!

I put those two things together, and in March of 2019, we LAUNCHED the NC Cookie Momster!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My husband and I both have careers separate from the business. I have had a long-term career in Human Resources, currently working as a part-time HR Manager with a software development firm in Cary. My husband has had a long-standing career in Sales and Operations Management.

These careers are helping us build this family business, however the time commitment has (and continues to be) difficult to navigate. We are always working on ways to streamline and make things more efficient in our lives and in our home-certified kitchen! Baking from scratch 300-500 cookies a week while working our other jobs is always a little exhausting.

The sacrifice is worth it. The name NC Cookie Momster is fun, but it is also to honor and celebrate the family and what it means to us. There is NOTHING more energizing and fulfilling than when a family comes up to us at the Clayton Farm and Community Market every Saturday morning and the kids have a BIG smile on their faces when they see us. We give them a sticker and make ’em laugh while they pick out their cookies…..and the parents are always right there picking out their favorites as well. We almost feel like we have become a part of their lives, especially when we see lots of the same faces every week and know each other’s names!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If we are going to stay local, we have lots of choices. There is usually a stop at one or more of our favorite museums in Raleigh. The Art Museum and the Science Museum are frequent spots we will take out of town visitors. Of course, a show at the DPAC or the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium is always a good plan.

And the Duke Gardens and Raulston Arboretum are always beautiful.

Our favorite restaurants are Sitti for Lebanese food, Danny’s for BBQ, Bella Monica for Italian, Osha for Thai, and Fresh for ICE CREAM!

If we have a longer visit, it is just a question if we are in a mountain mood, or a seaside mood. Either way, it’s only 2-3 hrs. to Asheville, Blowing Rock, or Boone in the mountains, or Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, or Oak Island for the seaside mood!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

To start with, my friends Angie, Denise, Bridget, Amanda, Lisa, and Renee all encouraged (badgered) me about how I should start a business with my cookies. I might never have thought other people would be that interested in my creations without them.

My mom and my sister Lucia are always willing to jump in and help. They support and encourage me emotionally (and physically!) and are definitely part of the whole process!

Other small business owners like Anna and Reese from It’s All Good Seasoning, Jodi from Jodi’s Elderberry Syrup, and Rich and Kathy from Creekside Farm Berries have been great with advice on ALL THINGS small business related. They, and others, have definitely helped us navigate these waters.

And my husband, who has helped with EVERYTHING. He supports me 100% and has even started making ALL of our homemade granolas for sale. He even calls himself the “Granola Guru Guy” (very modest!)! Simply put, his answer is always, YES.

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Nominate Someone: ShoutoutNorthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.